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24.10.2013 General News

Ghana—Cuba Renew Bilateral Agreement

Ghana—Cuba Renew Bilateral Agreement
24.10.2013 LISTEN

Ghana and Cuba have pledged to support each other by strengthening the cordial relationship that exists between the two countries.

To this effect the two countries whose relationship dates back to Ghana's first republican era, signed joint agreement aimed at supporting each other in various fields of developments.

Ghana's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Mr. Kwesi Quartey signed for his Government whilst his visiting colleague, hon. Telestia Gonzalez Fraga initialed on behalf of the Cuban Government.

Briefing pressmen after a closed door meeting between the two Ministers at the premises of His Ministry, hon. Kwesi Quartey pointed out as part of the newly signed bilateral agreement is the waiving of visa acquisition for Ghanaian Diplomatic and Service passport holders.

Mr. Quartey added his voice for the call on the American Government to lift the embargo it placed on Cuba some fifty years ago. He described the embargo as outdated and therefore appealed to the United States Government to lift the ban.

Responding to a question on whether Ghana's continue support to Cuba and its stand on the US imposed embargo would not derail Ghana's relationship with that of the US Government, he said'' Ghana's stand on the embargo would not change and that will not also derail the relationship between Ghana and America''.

He disclosed that despite the cordial and long standing relationship between Ghana and Cuba, bilateral trade between them has been very low and that the two countries are developing framework mechanisms aimed at increasing exchange trade for the benefit of Governments and citizens.

He praised the long-standing relations between Ghana and Cuba, especially in the areas of health, education and agriculture.

He indicated that his Ministry would organize preliminary consultation and discussions with all sector Ministries, Departments and Agencies [MDA's] on how best to increase business opportunities for Ghanaian businesses to enter Cuba.

On her part, the visiting Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for Cuba, Miss Telesita Gonzalez Fraga thanked the Government of Ghana for its unflinching solidarity to the Cuban people during period of Trade Embargo imposed on them by the USA.

Ghana has been a beneficiary of Cuban support in the form of the provision of medical brigades who work in Ghanaian hospitals and coaches who continue to train Ghanaian boxers and athletes.

The meeting is based on joint work and mutual benefit not only for the two governments but to citizens as well as businesses in both nations.

She describes the Meeting between the two Ministries as a demonstration and commitment to strengthen relationship between the two countries.

Speaking through her translator, the Deputy Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister said the Government and people of her country will continue to count on the unflinching support of Ghana same as Ghana can count on her countries support.

"Cuba has African blood and as such will continue to defend and support the African continent and Ghana in particular" she noted.

To this end she announced that Cuba is helping to create a Faculty of Medical Sciences in Ghana's new University for Development Studies in Tamale.

Mohammed Saani Ibrahim
Mohammed Saani Ibrahim

Journalist/reporter at The Accra TimesPage: MohammedSaaniIbrahim

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